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Traditional fishermen with cormorant birds work together to catch silver carp in Xixi National Wetland Park, China. (Denise Dias)

The SongCheng Resort theme park features American Gladiator-style obstacle courses, as well as costumed characters, floral photo backdrops and knife-throwing performances. (Denise Dias)

The Legend of Romance show at SongCheng Resort is a spectacle of lasers, acrobats, waterfalls, live horses and contortionists. (Hangzhou Tourism Commission)

Fields of tea surround the China National Tea Museum, where visitors can enjoy complimentary tastings of some of the country’s finest blends. (Hangzhou Tourism Commission)

Tourists and locals alike flock to the Museum of Traditional Chinese Medicine to learn about the history of Chinese medicine and look for cures to common ailments, such as headaches and jet lag. (Hangzhou Tourism Commission)

Monks at Lingyin Temple, one of China’s oldest and most significant Buddhist temples. (Hangzhou Tourism Commission)

HANGZHOU, CHINA-For a place that has inspired artists and poets for centuries with its idyllic West Lake, Hangzhou is still a blip on the radar of North American travellers — but not for long.

It’s the first Chinese city to host the G20 Summit, which takes place in September. It boasts a thriving tech industry; e-commerce giant Alibaba is based here. It recently ranked on the New York Times’ list of “52 places to go in 2016.” Hangzhou is ready to share its old-world splendour and natural beauty with the world. Here are ways to enjoy it all:

Street shopping: Take a stroll beneath the charming paper lanterns crisscrossing cobblestoned Hefang St., where you’ll never walk more than a few steps without passing a souvenir shop or street food/snack stand — roasted walnut or candied insect, anyone? Pick up a colourful water bottle or cute sippy cup from MB2 Cup or inexpensive gifts and tech gadgets from Miniso, a shop that just happens to have every little item you forgot to pack in your suitcase.

Gone fishing: There are 56 varieties of fish and 171 species of birds hiding in the lush Xixi National Wetland Park, China’s first protected wetland park. It opened to the public in 2005 and spans more than 11.5 kilometres. More than 70 per cent of the park is comprised of water, so it’s best seen via a sightseeing boat or on a fishing adventure. If you’re lucky, you might see traditional fishermen with cormorant birds catch a silver carp.

Photo opps: Immerse yourself in the wackiness factor that is SongCheng Resort, a Chinese theme park with knife-throwing performances, friendly costumed characters, floral photo backdrops, and American Gladiator-style obstacle courses. You won’t find any English signage; most of the park’s visitors are from Korea, Japan and Southeast Asia. Don’t leave without catching the Legend of Romance show, a spectacle featuring lasers, acrobats, waterfalls, live horses and contortionists.

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Tea time: When it comes to tea, Hangzhou is China’s Champagne region. Visit the China National Tea Museum, surrounded by green fields of tea, for a complimentary tasting of some of the country’s finest blends, including a delicate green tea, mellow black tea, top-grade oolong, and heavenly scented jasmine. Enjoy a purple clay workshop, learn about the history of West Lake Longjing tea, and pick up a ceramic tea set from the museum’s well-curated gift shop on your way out.

Chinese medicine: At the Museum of Traditional Chinese Medicine, splendid architecture and scenery make up for what is lacking in the exhibitions. Visitors gather in an outdoor waiting area and queue in long lines for some face time with Mr. Ding, who has worked at the cultural centre in Hangzhou for more than 50 years. The herbalist dispenses sought-after advice on coping with common ailments, from headaches to nausea.

Soulful retreat: At the northwest end of the city, Lingyin Temple is one of the oldest and most significant ancient Buddhist temples in China. In the Mahavira Hall, you’ll find a wooden statue of Sakyamuni Buddha, the largest in the country. With more than 300 Buddhist statues (the oldest dates back more than 800 years), picturesque pagodas and spectacular grottoes throughout the surrounding area, it’s no wonder the temple’s name means “temple of the soul’s retreat.”

Paradise found: The newly opened Midtown Shangri-La is in the vibrant Kerry Central complex, a modern mixed-use development in the downtown Xiacheng district with an office tower, apartments and a high-end shopping mall. The hotel is also a five-minute walk to West Lake. Its spacious guestrooms and suites feature cosy mood lighting, large feather duvets and luxury amenities. It’s worth upgrading to enjoy access to the Horizon Club Lounge, which includes complimentary breakfast, afternoon tea and cocktail hour.

Denise Dias was hosted by the Hangzhou Tourism Commission and was a guest of the Midtown Shangri-La, neither of which reviewed or approved this story.

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